The Michigan mother is living under parole after a high-profile cyberbullying case that targeted her teen daughter

Parole Life After Prison

September 3, 2025: Kendra Licari, the Michigan mother who shocked the nation when she was arrested for cyberbullying her 13-year-old daughter, Lauryn Licari, has been living under parole supervision since her release in August 2024. The case, which involved hundreds of harassing messages sent anonymously to Lauryn and her then-boyfriend, Owen McKenny, landed Kendra in prison for 19 months to five years.

Image Credit: Courtesy of Netflix

The Arrest and Sentence

The FBI traced the threatening messages back to Kendra, who admitted to sending them. She was sentenced and prohibited from contacting her daughter until 2026. Kendra has expressed remorse for her actions and hopes for eventual reconciliation with Lauryn.

Reflections in the Netflix Documentary

Kendra also participated in the Netflix documentary Unknown Number: The High School Catfish, reflecting on how unresolved childhood trauma, including a sexual assault at age 17, influenced her misguided attempts to control her daughter’s life. Experts have compared her actions to a digital form of Munchausen syndrome by proxy, a condition where a caregiver harms someone under their care to gain attention or sympathy.

Impact on the Family

The cyberbullying led to significant family strain. Kendra’s husband, Shawn Licari, divorced her and gained full custody of Lauryn, who is now 18 and studying criminology in college. Although mother and daughter remain estranged, Lauryn has expressed hope for future reconciliation, while Kendra continues to work on rebuilding her life and relationships.